33 of Your Biggest Beauty Bummers Solved

Floss! It's a crucial step many people forget, says Marc Lowenberg, a cosmetic dentist in NYC. Even if you brush and swish with mouthwash, leftover plaque can still linger in between teeth. The only way to dislodge the bad-breath bacteria is with floss.

It may be that the UV filter in your shades is stronger than your sunscreen is, explains NYC dermatologist Neil Sadick. So apply a higher SPF than you are now using to your entire face, especially the area that is not covered by your sunglasses, he advises.

We recommend skipping your foundation in the summer. To lighten up, blend equal parts face lotion and foundation. Bonus points if they have SPF! Another option is to swap in a tinted moisturizer.

Dab away excess shine with blotting paper or a tissue. "Face powder can look cakey on sweaty skin," says Nicky Kinnaird, founder of Space NK beauty shops in the U.S. and England.

Try Sonia Kashuk Blotting Papers, $6.99; target.com

Fake a tan fast by brushing on a believable shade of bronze. "Pick a color within a couple of shades of your skin tone," says celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal. If you're fair, try a tan shade with peach tones. If you're medium-toned, go for caramels. For already-tanned or brown skin, choose a deeper bronze. "Use a big, fluffy brush to apply the color around the perimeter of your face, then work it in toward the center," says Roncal, who recommends adding a touch of blush on cheeks.

Use shimmer polish; any mistakes won't be quite as obvious, and the mica in shimmer adheres better, says CND cofounder Jan Arnold.

Smooth feet with a mixture of salt and lotion, or olive oil. Rinse and dry thoroughly, pushing back the cuticles as you towel dry. —Good Housekeeping

Minimize the look of cellulite by spending a minute in the shower rubbing thighs with a smoothing scrub. Boosting circulation to the thigh area can lessen the orange-peel look, says Marcia Kilgore, founder of Soap & Glory. Then, follow with a self-tanner — cellulite always looks better in brown.

Turn your center part into a side part — your hair will instantly have more body. Another option: Flip dry hair upside down and spritz a volumizer at the roots, then slowly flip it back up and blow-dry for a few seconds to set the spray. —Good Housekeeping

Try TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Root Boosting Spray, $5.49; drugstore.com

Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses will help. Besides, by always keeping your skin protected, you'll eventually look 10 years younger than your peers who tan themselves. Your complexion will be smoother, firmer, and free of age spots. Add freckles to this, and you'll look even more youthful. —Marie Claire

Avoid product overload by using products that multitask. Consider a self-tanner with sunscreen, a mattifying moisturizer, etc.

Try Jergens Natural Glow Facial Moisturizer, $8.49; drugstore.com

Since humidity boosts oil production, oilier skin will benefit from swiping on a toner twice a day. A weekly clay mask will draw out impurities. —Marie Claire

Try The Body Shop Seaweed Iconic Clay Mask, $22; thebodyshop-usa.com

"The longer your hair, the more you need to treat it with special care or it can get strawlike," says celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner (on ends only) every other day. Rinse with water alone on off days. Avoid heat-styling (blow-drying, flat-ironing) as often as possible, but if you must, prep hair with a protective spray, such as Frédéric Fekkai Coiff Defense Pre-Style Thermal/UV Protectant, first.

Another tip: When you're at the beach, spread some of the sunscreen you use on your body through your hair so that it doesn't dry out and get crispy.

Protectant, $25; drugstore.com

"Water-resistant mascaras — which hold a curl longer — are a summer must, as oily skin and allergy-prone eyes spell smudges, says Napoleon Perdis, celeb makeup artist.

"The heat is on, so opt for an eyeshadow base that controls oil on lids. The best nonslip shadows are matte and mineral formulas. Sparkles welcome!" —Marie Claire

Try L'Oréal DE-CREASE Eye Shadow Base, $7.99; walgreens.com

If you're seeing little red bumps on your skin, you're most likely suffering from keratosis pilaris — bumpy chicken skin that normally crops up on the backs of your upper arms. Try using a lotion with alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids to dissolve the bumps, but do not try to scrub them off with a loofah, as this could worsen your condition. —Marie Claire

Even if your flakes aren't caused by dandruff (some skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis can also result in scaly scalps), you can use a dandruff-reducing shampoo with ingredients, like zinc pyrithione (which reduces fungus) or selenium sulfide (which slows cell turnover) to prevent additional shedding. Use the shampoo at least once a week if you want to be wear dark tops with peace of mind.

We like Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo, Dry Scalp Care, $7.79; cvs.com.

Put on an antiperspirant at night, too. That way, it will have plenty of time to absorb into your skin and start working, says Atlanta dermatologist Darren Casey. In the morning, shower and swipe on another coat as you normally would. Your pits should be good to go.

Another option is to buy a stronger-strength antiperspirant like Secret Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, $8.29; drugstore.com

"Try to prevent them by using a lip balm with SPF in it before you are going to be in the sun," says NYC-based dermatologist Eric Schweiger. "But, if your pout has already been scorched, try using Aquaphor Healing Ointment every 1-2 hours, this should speed up your recovery."

Aquaphor, $5.99; drugstore.com

Keep eyeliner in place by switching to a gel formula. "Gel liners last longer than pencils or crayons," swears Napoleon Perdis, celeb makeup artist, "but since they're opaque, limit to top lash lines, particularly during the day."

Try MAC Fluidline, $15; maccosmetics.com

The upper back is full of oil glands, making it a prime spot for breakouts, says California-based dermatologist David Sire, M.D. Since perspiration is a main cause of clogged pores, it's not unusual to see more back acne during the hot summer months. Before bed, apply a benzoyl peroxide product directly on the pimples to dry them out and kill bacteria. Try: Clean & Clear Persa Gel 10.

To keep pores clear, wash your back in the shower with a body wash containing salicylic acid, like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Body Wash Pink Grapefruit or Murad Acne Body Wash, $39.50; ulta.com

"If the blister is intact, sanitize a needle with alcohol, then pop the blister to let the fluid out," says Chappaqua, NY, dermatologist Lydia Evans. Don't peel off the skin though, she warns. If it has already been torn open, apply an antibiotic ointment like Polysporin to prevent an infection, then cover it with a bandage. Reduce the shoe-on-skin rubbing that creates a blister by sprinkling your feet with a foot powder to keep them from sweating, says Dr. Evans.

To avoid unsightly razor burn, hydrate thirsty skin with a shave cream rich in essential oils, or forgo the blade altogether and use a shea-butter-infused depilating cream. New spray-on formulas mean hands stay clean, but apply more than you think you need to and stand on a towel to keep bathroom tiles slip-free. For a quick fix on the go, toss a mini electric shaver in your beach bag — great for showerless fuzz-busting — but remember to lube up afterward (those metal teeth are moisture-killers).

Try Nair 3-in-1 Formula Exfoliator, $7.99; drugstore.com

The best hair-removal option for your bikini region? Wax. "The hair in the bikini area tends to be coarse and thick, which is ideal for waxing. Plus, since the hair is pulled out from the root, it grows back thinner over time," says Katherine Goldman, owner of Stript Bar Wax in San Francisco.

The peach fuzz on your belly can be removed easily with a depilatory product, says Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare Spas.

One to try: Veet Spray-On Hair Removal Cream, $7.99; drugstore.com

Blot your hair with a paper towel, says David Evangelista, creative director of Cornelia Day Resort, in New York City. Then work in mousse (like L'Oréal Professionnel Volumizing Styling Mousse, $23; luxuryparlor.com) to regain body. Almost good as new!

Shaving and rubbing against rough fabrics create friction, and that leads to inflammation and brown or grayish patches, says Jeanine Downie, a New Jersey dermatologist. Brighten up with a lotion that contains hydroquinone (a good one: Ambi Fade Cream, $5; walgreens.com). Also, use a new razor every three shaves (dull ones irritate your pits).

"Usually acne caused by sunscreens is not from the chemicals that provide the sun protection, but secondary to the vehicle in the sunscreen," says NYC-based dermatologist Eric Schweiger. "Try to find oil-free or non-comedogenic sunscreens."

Try Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock, $11.99; target.com

"Aluminum-based antiperspirants are acidic and contain compounds that can contribute to staining," says Schweiger. "In addition, sweat has trace amounts of urea (also found in urine) and this can contribute to the dying of fabrics. If the yellow stains are really bothering you try stop using antiperspirants, and stick with deodorants that have no aluminum chloride in them. These serve only to mask the odor and not to reduce sweat production like an antiperspirant. Deodorants will thus help you with your shirts but not with your sweat!

Try Jason Naturally Fresh for Women Deodorant Stick for Women, $6.99; jason-natural.com

"The best way to keep curls from frizzing in the summer is to make sure you use an anti-humectant product when styling and as a finisher," says David Dieguez, creative director of Blow Salon. "Also, make sure hair is fully dry before stepping outside."

Try Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel, $22; sephora.com

"The metals in the pool water can bond to your hair, causing a greenish cast," says Matrix celebrity colorist Jennifer J. "But if you saturate your strands with a water-repellent oil before you hit the pool, it'll seal your hair's cuticle so the chemicals won't seep in."

"I recommend wearing a hat to prevent hair from fading," says celebrity hair colorist Joel Warren. "If you don't have a hat, place hair in a very high bun on top of your head. This will ensure that the top layers and crown of the hair are covered and not exposed to the sun. You can also use a product with UV protectant."